The Zhuang & the Miao

The Zhuang & the Miao

The Zhuang people are China's largest minority population, totaling more than 16 million. Most Zhuang are located in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (where they constitute more than 85% of the population) as well as Guizhou, Yunnan, and Guangdong provinces. The Zhuang language is part of the Tai-Kadai family, related to Thai and fellow Chinese minority the Dai. Historically, the Zhuang have had almost constant friction with China's Han majority, but that's beginning to improve since the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous region was established in 1958. In many ways the Zhuang are gradually becoming assimilated into the dominant Han Chinese culture, but to date they have been able to preserve their strong culture and its music and dance traditions. Clothing varies from region to region and mostly consists of collarless, embroidered jackets buttoned to the left, loose wide trousers or pleated skirts, embroidered belts or black square headbands.

The Miao are also a large minority group and spread across much of southern China. Throughout their history, the Miao have had to deal with Han China's southward expansion, which drove them into marginal, chiefly mountainous areas in southern China and northern areas of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Living in such isolated regions, the Miao group developed into several subsets, including Black, Red, Green, and Big Flowery Miao. Most of China's nearly 10 million Miao are located in Guizhou province, where local markets feature the intricate and expert craftsmanship of the Miao, who specialize in jewelry, embroidery, and batik. Their beautiful craftsmanship aside, the Miao are also renowned for their festivals, particularly the Lusheng festival, which takes place from the 11th to the 18th of the first lunar month. Named after a Miao reed instrument, Lusheng is a week of lively music, dancing, horse races, and bullfights. The Guizhou city of Kaili is the center of Miao festivals, hosting more than 120 each year.